Ekovir (aciclovir) is an antiviral medication used to suppress certain viral infections. It helps patients by:

• Reducing the severity of symptoms during an outbreak
• Reducing the duration of an outbreak
• Reducing the frequency of outbreaks

While it is effective as a viral suppressant, it is not a cure. Some patients will experience very few future outbreaks, but the virus will still be present in the body and may be spread to others unless other measures have been taken.

Conditions Treated

It's important to note that Ekovir is not effective against all types of viruses; for best results, a doctor will identify the virus involved prior to starting any kind of treatment. Many other types of virus---which Ekovir is not particularly effective against---can produce strikingly similar symptoms. In some cases bacterial or fungal infections can also produce very similar symptoms, but Ekovir will provide no benefit in those cases.

The majority of patients prescribed Ekovir have:

• Epstein Barr virus
• Genital herpes
• Cytomegalovirus
• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• Herpes zoster

Similar viral infections may also be prescribed Ekovir.

The medication works by interfering with an enzyme found in some types of virus, which inhibits the ability of the virus to duplicate and spread. This action effectively suppresses the virus, though it will not eliminate it from the body entirely.

Treatment with Ekovir may not prevent all outbreaks all of the time, but will significantly reduce the frequency with which they happen. Outbreaks that do occur will be shorter and symptoms will not be as apparent or troublesome.

Taking Ekovir

Treatment with Ekovir is difficult to summarize; many factors influence dosage, frequency of administration, and duration of administration. An important factor is which viral infection is being treated, as well as if the medication is being used to disrupt an outbreak or prevent a future outbreak from occurring. Other personal variables, such as age, weight, other medical conditions present, and so forth may also influence dosage and frequency of administration. For best results a doctor should be consulted.

A general rule with products containing aciclovir is that duration of treatment is longer, often spanning several months or more, while the dose is lower, when it taken as a preventative medication. If treating a current outbreak, higher doses are typically taken for several days to one week. There are exceptions to both cases, however; again, a doctor should be consulted.

Side Effects

Ekovir is very unlikely to produce any severe or permanent side effects. The vast majority are mild and, if taking the medication for more than a few days, transient. Most commonly reported are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Mild fever
• Mild confusion
• Diarrhea
• Itchy skin
• Mild muscle aches

The above are not cause for concern unless they become severe or persist past the first few days of treatment.

Patients with preexisting kidney issues should be aware that Ekovir may cause further kidney damage. Such patients are advised to speak with a doctor prior to taking Acivir, and be alert for symptoms of kidney problems.

Though rare, Ekovir may cause a low white blood cell count in some individuals.

Ekovir may interact with some other medications, including over-the-counter varieties. In the interest of safe and effective treatment, always double-check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking other medications while taking Ekovir.